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Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Study business and finance-related topics, including financial reporting, analysis for decision-making, auditing, tax, and effective communication to prepare you for a career in finance, investments, management, or law enforcement.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science
Program Types
Undergraduate, Major, Minor
Mode of Study
On Campus
Department
AccountingSchool / College
College of Arts and Sciences
What is accounting?
Accounting measures and communicates the performance of a company or non-profit. It is designed to help managers inside a company or investors outside of the company make better decisions. But measuring performance isn’t as simple as it sounds. Even a basic goal like “maximize profit” raises important questions: How do we define profit? Over what time period? Which revenues and costs should be included? Costs can include materials, labor, insurance, utilities, environmental impact, reputation, and the cost of financing—many of which differ from simple cash outflows.
Accounting also requires choosing the right level of detail. Should we evaluate the entire organization, or break performance down by region, product, or customer type? More detail can improve decisions, but measuring everything becomes costly and confusing. Accountants help determine what information is most useful. For nonprofits, the goal isn’t profit but impact. This raises new questions: Do we measure how much service was delivered—or how much good it created? A B.S. in Accounting teaches students how to navigate these real-world challenges, turning data into insight and helping organizations make better decisions.
The B.S. in Accounting degree
The accounting major combines the strengths of a liberal arts education with preparation for a professional career. Accounting coursework emphasizes critical analysis, problem solving, and communication. Completion of the major will, in most cases, provide the educational requirements for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of California. CPA licensure requirements vary across states, but any variation is small. Graduates who choose career paths other than public accounting have a strong background for entering careers in finance, management, and law.
Our value
Prospective accounting majors at Redlands step into a program with a proven pathway to career success. Our students regularly secure competitive paid summer internships—often with major national and international accounting firms—despite competing with hundreds of applicants. Redlands’ track record speaks for itself: in Spring 2025, sophomores received internship offers from Deloitte, KPMG, and Crowe for Summer 2026. By the end of these internships, nearly all Redlands accounting majors receive full-time job offers for after graduation. Students can also receive academic credit through ACCT 480, which includes reflective weekly communication with a supervising professor.
Accounting majors can pursue double majors or minor in other fields. Useful topics to combine with Accounting include Financial Economics, Data Science, Psychology, Literature, Political Science, and History. A double major with Business Administration is quite doable.
Your education and career goals will be supported through opportunities such as community service with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, study abroad options, participation in the Redlands Accounting Society, and internships with local organizations.
Read more about Accounting Student Opportunities →
You will learn side-by-side with expert faculty who bring extensive real-world experience from both large and small CPA firms as well as corporate settings, all within small, discussion-driven classes that encourage active participation. Our dedicated professors offer meaningful mentorship every step of the way, helping you deepen your understanding of course material, prepare strong applications for accounting internships and jobs, and receive personalized guidance for independent study, capstone work, or honors projects.
Classes you will take
The following courses are subject to change. View the latest university catalog for all coursework information, program requirements, and learning outcomes.
Complete ALL of the following courses:
- ECON 101 - Principles of Economics
- MATH 111 - Elementary Statistics with Applications
- BUS 240 - Business Law
- GLB 421- Corporate Finance
- OR GLB 422 - Investments
- OR ECON 230 - Money in Capitalism
Complete ALL of the following required courses:
- ACCT210 - Principles of Financial Accounting & Reporting
- ACCT220 - Principles of Managerial Accounting
- ACCT309 - Accounting Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
- ACCT310 - Intermediate Financial Reporting for Operations
- ACCT320 - Intermediate Financial Reporting for Financing Transactions
- ACCT330 - Intermediate Financial Reporting for Investing Transactions
- ACCT410 - Auditing
- ACCT411 - Accounting Information Systems
- ACCT415 - Tax Accounting
- ACCT440 - Financial Statement Analysis
ACCT 360 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
ACCT 480 Accounting Internship
Note: ACCT 480 requires that Accounting students apply for and obtain an offer for a paid internship with an accounting firm. Redlands students compete with students from all Universities. Accounting internships often lead directly to post-graduation professional placement. Get guidance on your resume from Dr. Renee Hall before submitting it in an application. All applications are online. Accounting work done for a non-accounting firm must be approved in advance by submitting the job description to Dr. Hall and receiving written approval.
Minor in Accounting
The Accounting minor can provide you with a foundation of careers in general business, government, investment management, and finance. To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current university catalog.
24 credits in accounting, as follows
Complete ALL of the following courses:
- ACCT210 - Principles of Financial Accounting & Reporting
- ACCT220 - Principles of Managerial Accounting
- ACCT310 - Intermediate Financial Reporting for Operations
Accounting Minor Electives
Three additional accounting courses selected from the following:
- ACCT320 - Intermediate Financial Reporting for Financing Transactions
- ACCT330 - Intermediate Financial Reporting for Investing Transactions
- ACCT 410 - Audit
- ACCT411 - Accounting Information Systems
- ACCT415 - Tax Accounting
- ACCT440 - Financial Statement Analysis
Undergraduate application deadlines
Fall Term - First Year
Early Action 1: November 1
Early Action 2: December 1
Regular Decision: January 15*
Spring Term - First Year
Deadline: November 1*
Fall Term - Transfer
Priority Deadline: March 1*
Spring Term - Transfer
Priority Deadline: November 1*
Note
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the deadline based on capacity.
What you will learn
Written and oral communication, economics, statistics, data science, information systems, and finance.
Financial accounting (four courses), managerial accounting (one course), accounting ethics, auditing, and introductory tax.
Students apply for internships, beginning sophomore year. Internships are highly competitive, and Redlands students do well in the competition. Accounting firms hire interns to determine who will be a good fit in their office. Internships offer excellent pay and exemplary training. Most interns receive a full-time job offer near the conclusion of their internship.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is supported by the IRS, in which students help individual taxpayers complete their income tax returns.
What you will learn
Student Testimonial
“This internship was rewarding not just because of the technical skills I developed, but because of the people I met along the way. I’ve often heard that accounting can be a difficult profession, but what makes it worthwhile is the people you work with. I can now see that this is absolutely true. Every team I worked with was tight-knit and genuinely cared about one another.”
— Emily Webster ’26, Accounting major
Graduate careers and outcomes
Most graduates move into Audit or Tax positions immediately following graduation. They gain experience and advance within the firms, or some move on to other opportunities. Here are some of the things graduates are doing 2-10 years out:
• Vice President at Bellwether in Newport Beach
• Transaction Advisory at Grant Thornton in New York, NY
• Manager, Private Equity Services at Alvarez & Marsal
• Risk and Regulatory Manager at Highspring in Irvine, CA
• Director, Acquisitions & Development at Proper Hospitality
• Trust Administrator, Dorsey & Whitney Trust Company
• Senior Financial Accountant at TJX, specializing in ESG reporting
• Senior Associate at Riveron Business Advisory
• Audit Director at FGMK, LLC
Department of Accounting
The Department of Accounting is part of the College of Arts & Sciences, setting it apart from most accounting programs nationwide. Our faculty blend academic expertise with real-world experience and provide dedicated mentorship in coursework, research, and career development. Explore our programs, student resources, and faculty to learn more.
Redlands' Signature Experiences
The Core Four Framework
At Redlands, our students’ success is at the heart of everything we do. We offer experiential learning opportunities, but our CORE Four initiative takes that commitment to a deeper, intentional level. More than a set of experiences, the CORE Four is a framework for transformation. Learn more about how students can prepare for their academic journey.
Featured faculty
Every Redlands faculty member is an active practitioner in their field. The classes they teach emerge from their unique research and practices, and they’re passionate about what they’re sharing. At Redlands, faculty are invested in and committed to your success.
Renee Hall
Department Chair
Ning Ren
Associate Professor
Brett Kawada
Associate Professor
Greg Lackey
Adjunct Professor
Bradley Heath
Visiting Lecturer; Professor; Core Adjunct Faculty
Want to know more?
Get in touch with our admissions team.
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